West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-02-24

others, she might vet have dared theii
censure, II this latter suggestion had not
given her pause. She loved him so truly
she could not bear that he should think
OF her, even for moment, rs she thought
OF Harry Vance; better that they should
part, at once aud foreVes This was
what she had told herself, again and
again, every hour Of that long day and
night.
IF she was sure, quite sure, she told
herself, that her Willingness to aCCelt
him had not been caused. in part, at
least, and almost uncousciously TO herself,
by her intense hatred Of the drudgery of
teaching, she would not give a thought
TO what other might think, or say, bat
she must be sure, quito sure. herself.
then but the day had been so weary
ing, she was so tired she must have time
TO think 1t ali out But time she was
destined not to have for scarcely had
the echoes of the shout Of the last eman.
cipated u.chin died away in the distance
when MIR. Carlton came up 10 tho un-
painted pine desk, where the young
teacher sat with her head bowed upon
her hand.
Her face was so pale, and she did not
look up and smile as she was wont TO do
her whole attitude was so suggestive OF
WEAKNESS, If not OF dispa.r, she was such
a wee morsel Of humanity, and n was so
strong and manly, that somehow, before
he we'll knew what he was saying, he was
telling her his passionate longing to take
her into his arms aud shield her hence
forth from every discomfort
She looked up then, with something
OF the look the hunter sometimes sees i'm
the eyes OF wounded doe, looked up.
and crushed the hope out Of his heart
with a cold refusal
Then came, for her, the slow agony Of
living on, day after day, knowing that
she had in that one hour of weakness cast
aside all that made life worth living; Of
walking daily through the furnace Of
trial, with the ghost of her dead hopes
ever reproachIng her with the cowardicc
that put an end to their bright but brief
existence.
So two years drifted by, and along
the thoruy pathway that she trod T. lice
Gray learned priceless les ous Of sclf-ie-
lance and courage, learned 10 bc law
unto tcrsclf and, once having chosen a
pathway, knowing it 10 be right. grew
strong TO follow it stcadfastly to the
end, though thousand tongues might
,ensurc.
Roy left his alftirs in the hands of his
steward, to whom lac gave power of at
torney, and went away to the city. 4
year passed and the dishoue steward
turning everything except the Carlton
homestead into money, gathered his
booty and fed; and no ono knew Rows
address.
Ellice Gray knew nothing of this
When vacation came She had given I'M
her hoOl, for she could not stay where
everything reminded her OF Roy She
was teaching in a distant village, when
one morning the postman brought her a
letter which proved to be from a former
pupil in Shafton, Rows home. 1t told
OF the loss OF his property, stated that he
had OF a;e returned TO his home: that
while in the city he had joined youu-
tccr corps o. iiremcn, and while in the
discharge Of his duty had been stru X
on the side Of his head by falling tim
Der, and carried away insensible. "Nhen
he revived the letter went on 10 saw.
che was blind The physician talked Of
paralysis OF the optic nerve. thought
time, or electric treatment, when he lad
somewhat recovered from the shock
might be beneficial but, said the letter.
''Mr Cation does not get better he
seems TO have lost all interest i'm life
Then the writer went on to give tho
other news OF the village, but Elhcc did
not read It. Hastily she prepared for a
journey, AID when the next train left
the station, it bore her in the direction
of ShaftOn.
The rosy blushes chased each other
over her otherwise pale checks whenever
she thought Of her errand, bnt she did
not falter, even when she rang the bell
at the squire 8, and was ushcrcd bv
the prim housekccpcr into the emp v
p1rlIr. Her heart beat tumultously NJ
she heard the slow. uncertain step come
down the stairs, and the hand gr1pc 70
the knob Of the dOoe llc came i'm and
cio cd the door. AMI then stood moving
his hoad from sid TO side, rs IL looking
for som one.
EIlIoc did not speak, "uut docs any one
wait 10 sec me? ] am blind
"Gcs, Roy, Ellicc answered in n
choked voice, putting out her hand 10
lead him 10 q scat II was the first time
She had ever called him by n s. given
name, and she saw the light fash over
his IN C.
"Elhcc, OH M darling he exc
claimed, then he stammcred, forgive
m Miss Gray. thlt forgot for 80 mo
mrnt II was very kind OF you TO come
u fear you will think tho motive self
ish when ] have given Won my reasons
Tor coming She replied struggling
brayely for compJsurc a. She sqt down
meas him Thcu, 'thc train leaves in
two hours and j must return. so Won
wilt pardon me 10 am som.what abrupt
In naming my eu0udt"
Dcrtaiuly. ha replied, c0urtc1u.lv
We'll said DIS visitor. somewhat
weakly. striving 90 gain Time now chat
'bo dcci-v va moment hat r0m aIhe
act is, 1m thinking OF getting mar
dcd
"tlIis. hc said, br0kculy. "It vae
cruel to come here To- tell m that bid
yoI think J. bad -tiIl auy hopes that YOU
cared for mc that YOU should como
here 90 kii. them with THAT announce
mcnt
'\o.' shc replied and ther. as uo
other word would come sac stafing
hciplcss.y OF the palc face. as Doc leaned
against thc cushirn- Of Dis chair. Pres
entity shc arose aud stood beside him
letting hcr fuaer toy with tho cu.u.
dark curi- thlf shaded h.- brow.
Roy -he whispered hu.ryIna into
speech. lest her COURAGE should nI
.Ioy don't YOU know that Z love Won